Character guide

Unknown Narrator

major

Also known as I, me, my, mine, myself, our, ours, we, us

First-person narrator and focal character, a young Englishman traveling to Australia.

Dr. Nikola

major

Also known as Prologue Dr. Nikola, this Dr. Nikola, Nikola, IX Dr. Nikola Permits

Mysterious and sinister mastermind who manipulates events from behind the scenes.

Richard Hatteras

major

Also known as Hatteras, Mr. Hatteras, Dear Mr. Hatteras, Richard, Mr. Richard Hatteras of Thursday Island, Dick, Dick Hatteras

Adventurous young man from Thursday Island, central to the plot's mystery.

Lord Beckenham

major

Also known as Mr. Wetherell, Marquis of Beckenham, Beckenham, Wetherell, The Marquis, Marquis, Presently Beckenham, the Marquis of Beckenham, Bidding Beckenham, Both Mr. Wetherell, The Marquis of Beckenham, the real Lord Beckenham, III Lord Beckenham

Eccentric nobleman who becomes entangled in Nikola's schemes.

Prendergast

supporting

Also known as Baxter, Mr. Baxter of Mr. Prendergast, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Prendergast, That scoundrel Baxter, the tutor Baxter, that scoundrel Baxter

Duplicitous tutor and servant of Lord Beckenham, secretly working for Nikola.

Phyllis

supporting

Also known as Miss Phyllis

Young woman connected to the Hatteras family, a love interest.

Miss Wetherell

supporting

Also known as Wetherell

Lord Beckenham's daughter, involved in the unfolding events.

Mr. Mathew Draper

supporting

Also known as Mr. Draper, Draper, No Mr. Draper

A shady associate of Dr. Nikola's criminal network.

China Pete

supporting

Also known as Pete

A Chinese criminal working for Dr. Nikola.

Mr. Matchem

supporting

A detective or police official investigating the case.

McMurtough

minor

Also known as Mr. McMurtough

A sailor or ship's officer encountered during the voyage.

Eastover

minor

Also known as Mr. Eastover

A minor character met in London or Sydney.

James Dymoke Hatteras

minor

Also known as James

Relative of Richard Hatteras, possibly his father or uncle.

Jim Percival

minor

Also known as Percival, James

A friend or acquaintance of the narrator.

Mr. Thompson

minor

Also known as Thompson

A minor character, possibly a servant or official.

Dawson

minor

Also known as Mr. Dawson

A crew member or associate on the voyage.

Podgers

minor

Also known as Mr. Podgers

A servant or minor functionary in the story.

Sir William Hatteras

minor

Also known as Sir William, Hatteras

A distinguished relative of Richard Hatteras.

Ah Chong

minor

A Chinese servant or associate of Dr. Nikola.

Lord Amberley

minor

A nobleman mentioned in passing, possibly a victim of Nikola.

Mr. Inspector

minor

A police inspector investigating the crimes.

Maxwell

minor

Also known as Mr. Maxwell, Bidding Mr. Maxwell

An auctioneer or businessman involved in a key scene.

Miss Tiffins

minor

A minor female character, possibly a governess or companion.

Gwendoline

minor

Also known as Miss Gwendoline

A young woman briefly appearing in the narrative.

Old Donald Maclean

minor

Also known as Maclean

An elderly Scottish character encountered in Australia.

Williams

minor

A servant or sailor with a minor role.

Miss Thompson

minor

Also known as Thompson

A minor female character, possibly a relative of Mr. Thompson.

Sally

minor

Also known as old Aunt Sally, old Sally

An elderly servant or relative in the Hatteras household.

Mrs. Mayford

minor

A landlady or housekeeper with a brief appearance.